Sam, 25, has had an impressive season so far, racking up 11 goals and eight assists in 19 games for Leverkusen, edging him closer to a place in Germany’s 2014 World Cup squad

The midfielder, who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, has a two-and-a-half million euro buyout clause in his contract, which expires in 2015.

Over the past few weeks, Leverkusen have hoped to extend Sam’s deal. However, according to Bild and kicker, league rivals Schalke have lined up an offer that will see the Germany international join them next summer on a three-year deal.

“Until his injury, Sam had been one of the strongest in the Bundesliga,” Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt told a news conference on Thursday.

While not officially confirming a kicker report from earlier that day, Heldt added: “He is a very interesting player.”

Bild and kicker also both claim that Schalke have lined up a deal for Giefer, 23, who was linked with a move to the Royal Blues in the summer.

According to Bild, Giefer is set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract in Gelsenkirchen, with the goalkeeper able to leave Duesseldorf at the end of the season on a free transfer.